Selling, General, and Administrative Costs: Salesforce, Inc. vs The Trade Desk, Inc.

A Decade of SG&A Expenses: Salesforce vs. The Trade Desk

In the ever-evolving tech industry, understanding the financial strategies of leading companies is crucial. Over the past decade, Salesforce, Inc. and The Trade Desk, Inc. have demonstrated contrasting approaches to managing Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses. From 2014 to 2023, Salesforce's SG&A expenses surged by approximately 480%, reflecting its aggressive expansion and market dominance. In contrast, The Trade Desk, a rising star in digital advertising, saw its SG&A costs grow by nearly 3,930%, albeit from a much smaller base, highlighting its rapid scaling efforts.

Key Insights

• Salesforce: Peaked in 2023 with SG&A expenses reaching 16 billion, a testament to its sustained growth.
• The Trade Desk: Despite missing data for 2024, its expenses approached 1 billion in 2023, underscoring its strategic investments.

These trends offer a window into the strategic priorities of these tech giants, with Salesforce focusing on consolidation and The Trade Desk on expansion.